THE ECONOMIC CONDITION OF THE PHILIPPINES 37 



three years the plant has usually attained such growth that it can 

 be cut down, the leaves removed, the green epidermis stripped 

 from the stem, and either the bast-strips torn off lengthwise. 

 or the petioles separated singly, and the inner membrane, with 

 the pulpy portion of the plant, removed. The bast-strips thus 



THE BAST STRIPS OF THE MUSA TEXTILIS DRAWN FOR THE FIRST TIME UNDER THE KNIFE 



obtained are then drawn under a knife in order to scrape away 

 any pulp that may have remained on them. The product, 

 after having been dried in the sun, is then ready for ship- 

 ment. This process, though simple, involves a great loss of 

 fiber, which might be avoided by the use of more efficient strip- 

 ping machines. It is difficult to accustom the natives to any- 

 thing novel, but when once progress has gained ageneral footing 

 headway will soon be made in particular paths also. Manila 

 hem}) has so far been equaled by none, much. less excelled. 



The principal article is fair current, with its higher and lower 

 grades. Of less importance are quilot and the silk-like lupiz, 



